Description

When an adjective comes before a definite noun, it must be preceded by the appropriate definite article (den, det or de), and the adjective is in the definite form (usually ending in -e). The definite form is usually the same as the plural form!

den store boka

den store familien

det store rommet

de store bøkene

The definite form of the adjective is also used following demonstratives and possessives:

denne store boka

min gamle mor

den nye leiligheten min

LITEN is irregular. It has two forms, one singular and one plural.

den lille familien	den lille boka	det lille rommet
de små familiene	de små bøkene	de små rommene

Rules for definite adjectives

ADJECTIVES

MASC. / FEM.

NEUTER

PLURAL

Regular adjectives

den fine sofaen
den hvite jakka
røde
gule
pene
dyre
brune
varme

det fine huset
hvite
røde
gule
pene
dyre
brune
varme

de fine sokkene
hvite
røde
gule
pene
dyre
brune
varme

Liten

den lille sofaen

det lille huset

de små sokkene

Adjectives ending in a stressed vowel

den blå kjolen
grå

et blå huset
grå

de blå sokkene
grå

Adjectives ending in an unstressed vowel.

den moderne stolen
rosa
lilla

det moderne huset
rosa
lilla

de moderne møblene
rosa
lilla

hel
halv

hele dagen
halve natta

hele huset
halve natta

Quiz yourself on Definite Adjectives